Why Hiring a Florida Bar Board Certified Attorney in Criminal Trial Law Matters
When you are facing criminal charges, uncertainty can feel overwhelming. Your freedom, reputation, career, and family life may all be at stake. The decisions made in the early stages of a criminal case can shape everything that follows.
Choosing the right attorney is not just important. It is critical.
One distinction stands above the rest in Florida criminal defense: Florida Bar Board Certification in Criminal Trial Law.
Michael P. Maddux is a Florida Bar Board Certified Criminal Trial Attorney. That credential represents the highest level of recognition for criminal trial expertise in the State of Florida. Here is what that means for you.
What does “Board Certified” Actually Mean?
In Florida, board certification is the highest level of recognition by The Florida Bar for an attorney’s competency and experience in a particular area of law.
It is not automatic. It is not honorary. It is earned.
To become board certified in Criminal Trial Law, an attorney must:
Demonstrate substantial trial experience in criminal cases
Meet strict peer review standards
Pass a rigorous written examination
Maintain continuing legal education requirements specific to criminal trial law
Certification evaluates a high level of knowledge, skills, and expertise in the specialty field. It is not simply about practicing criminal law. It is about proving mastery.
Only about 7% of Florida Bar members are board certified in any specialty area. Among more than 100,000 Florida attorneys, just over 5,000 hold board certification across 27 certification fields. That makes it a meaningful and selective credential.
Expertise That Has Been Tested
Board certification in Criminal Trial Law means the attorney’s trial skills have been formally tested and evaluated. This includes:
Jury trial experience
Advanced knowledge of criminal procedure
Command of evidentiary rules
Strategic trial preparation and presentation
In serious criminal matters, preparation and precision can directly affect outcomes. Having a lawyer whose expertise has been examined and verified provides an additional layer of confidence.
Professionalism and Ethics
Board certified lawyers must pass a rigorous peer-review process. Judges and fellow attorneys evaluate their competence, professionalism, and ethics in the practice of law.
This independent review reinforces what matters most in criminal defense: integrity, experience, and expertise. When the legal community recognizes an attorney’s credibility, that reputation carries weight in negotiations and in the courtroom.
Credibility Backed by the Highest Authority
Board Certification is conferred by The Florida Bar under the authority of the Florida Supreme Court. It represents recognition by the most credible governing authority in the state’s legal community.
This is not a marketing label. It is a credential regulated and monitored by the state’s highest court.
A Strategic Advantage
Board certification does not guarantee a specific outcome. However, it often strengthens a client’s position.
Prosecutors know which attorneys are seasoned trial lawyers. Judges recognize attorneys who have met heightened standards. That credibility can influence plea negotiations, evidentiary rulings, and courtroom dynamics.
Why It Matters in Criminal Defense
Criminal charges can carry consequences that last a lifetime, including incarceration, fines, loss of professional licenses, and permanent damage to one’s reputation.
When your future is at stake, choosing a Florida Bar Board Certified Criminal Trial Attorney means choosing:
Integrity
Experience
Tested Experience
Verified professionalism
Board certification represents more than experience. It represents a commitment to excellence that has been evaluated, examined, and approved at the highest level.
When the stakes are high, that distinction matters.
Take the Next Step
If you or a loved one is under investigation or has been charged with a crime in Florida, do not leave your future to chance.
Consult with Michael P. Maddux, P.A., a Florida Bar Board Certified Criminal Trial Attorney serving Tampa and surrounding communities. When your freedom, reputation, and livelihood are at stake, experience alone is not enough. Tested expertise matters.
Contact our office today to learn how we can protect your rights and defend your future.
MEET THE TEAM
Michael Maddux
Attorney
Attorney Michael Maddux has been a licensed attorney since 1992. Mr. Maddux received his B.A. in Political Science from Florida State University and his law degree from the University of Florida Law School. He is a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and a former member of the American Bar Association.
Mr. Maddux was an Assistant State Attorney for three years with the State Attorney’s Office for the 13th Judicial Circuit of Florida. He served as an Assistant State Wide Prosecutor for almost two years with the Office of the Attorney General. He has been Board Certified in Criminal Trial Practice by the Florida Bar since 1999.
He is admitted to practice in the Northern, Middle, and Southern federal court districts in Florida, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court.
He is a member of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and has presented to the organization on civil rights issues. He served as a two term president of the Hillsborough County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. He is a member of the National Police Accountability Project.
Mr. Maddux also served as moderator for the Hillsborough County Bar Association Criminal Law Section’s seminar, “The Collateral Consequences of Crime,” which examined the administrative and statutory schemes designed to sanction, track, expose, deport, and otherwise impact criminal defendants in Florida and address issues concerning immigration, the Department of Motor Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Sex Offender Registration Requirements, and administrative sanctions again licensed professionals.
He has attended Trial Lawyer’s College at Thunderhead Ranch in Dubois, Wyoming, dedicated to training lawyers to obtain justice and protect the rights of people from corporate and government oppression.
Mr. Maddux’s extensive criminal trial experience has helped him establish a thriving personal injury practice involving automobile accidents, wrongful death, products liability, slip and falls, insurance coverage questions, and all types of injury cases. Mr. Maddux has settled hundreds of cases without the necessity of trial. If your goals can’t be met through settlement, he will litigate. He understands that some cases need fierce advocacy and others need peacemaking compromise.
Mr. Maddux has developed a niche practice in civil rights litigation. His criminal defense work allowed him to see violations that needed civil remedies. He actively pursues justice for those wronged by law enforcement through civil suits in federal and state court and assistance with internal affairs investigations.
Mr. Maddux acknowledges the difficult job that law enforcement performs, while also demanding that law enforcement diligently follow state and federal constitutions, internal policies and standards of decency.
Michael has been actively involved in the Big Brother/Little Brother Program, is a former Chairman of the Mid-Florida Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Seminar, and is an elder at his Presbyterian church where he serves on the Compassionate Outreach Committee. He is also board president for the Timothy Initiative: a men’s recovery home that believes in finding recovery through a relationship with Christ.
Michael enjoys time with his wife and kids, learning to play guitar, volunteering with his ministry programs, cycling, and being nature.
Email: [email protected]
Jennifer Szymczak
Attorney
Attorney Jennifer Szymczak joined the Maddux Law team in 2008 as a law clerk following her first year of law school at Stetson University College of Law.
She graduated in 2010 and continues to practice on the Maddux Law team. Jennifer’s practice is focused on Civil Rights litigation, criminal defense and personal injury law. She is the managing attorney of the Maddux Law, Gainesville, FL office.
Jennifer is a member of the Florida Bar, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, the Middle District of Florida and the Southern District of Florida and the United States Federal Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Jennifer has tried cases in both Florida State Court and Federal Court and had the honor of presenting oral arguments to a panel of judges in the Eleventh Circuit Federal Court of Appeals.
Jennifer is active in the legal community. She is a graduate of the Florida Bar Leadership Academy Class V. She is a member of the Eighth Judicial Circuit Bar Association, Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and Florida Bar Criminal Law Section. Jennifer also served as a member of the Florida Bar Advertising Grievance Committee.
Jennifer has continued her legal training by attending Gerry Spence’s Trial Lawyer’s College Regional Seminars, Trojan Horse Method Seminars and Trial Lawyer’s University Seminars, to name a few.
During her free time, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her daughter outside. As a graduate from the University of Florida, she is an avid Gator Fan and can be found on the weekends cheering on her team. She actively participates as a Unified Partner in the Special Olympics.
Jennifer is a runner and recently completed her goal of running a half marathon. Fun fact about Jennifer, she has dual citizenship in the US and Czech Republic and is fluent in both languages.
Previously known as Jennifer Salter.
Email: [email protected]
Amir Elmonairy
Attorney
Amir joined Maddux Attorneys in February 2025 and practices primarily in the areas of personal injury and criminal defense. He brings a client-centered and tenacious approach to each case.
Amir is a member of the Hillsborough County Bar Association, the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Pinellas County Trial Lawyers Association, and the Pinellas Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
Amir graduated from Rutgers Business School in 2016 and worked in Florida as a category manager for L’Oréal. He returned to New Jersey to earn his J.D. at Rutgers Law School in 2021. During law school, he was awarded the Chief Justice Richard J. Hughes Prize, presented to the graduating student with the best record in the New Jersey Practice course.
Following law school, Amir clerked for a judge in New Jersey before moving back to Florida to serve as a public defender. There, he honed his courtroom advocacy skills and developed a strong commitment to defending clients facing difficult circumstances.
Before joining Maddux Attorneys, he also worked in insurance defense, gaining a valuable perspective on both sides of litigation.
Amir takes pride in helping people navigate complex legal issues and works hard to protect their rights and interests.
In his free time, he enjoys fishing, baseball games, road trips, and spending time outdoors. Fun fact: Amir served in the Army National Guard from 2009 to 2016.
Email: [email protected]
Carrie Tonski
Paralegal
Carrie Tonski is the firm’s criminal defense paralegal and has worked for Michael P. Maddux, P.A. since 2005.
Carrie is a seasoned paralegal with more than 30 years of experience in the areas of personal injury, civil rights violations and criminal defense matters at both the federal and state levels.
Carrie holds the designation of Florida Registered Paralegal and is a member of the Tampa Bay Paralegal Association.
Originally from New Jersey, Carrie made Florida her home after serving four years in the United States Air Force.
During her free time, Carrie enjoys spending time with her family, working out, and writing her biography.
Email: [email protected]
Cheyla Gonzales
Paralegal
Cheyla Gonzalez, the firm’s Personal Injury paralegal joined our firm in September 2018. Cheyla has been a paralegal since 2004.
Besides being experience in Personal Injury, Cheyla has experience in Workers’ Compensation, Maritime Law, Family Law and Criminal Law. Cheyla is a member of the Tampa Bay Paralegal Association.
Cheyla was born in Habana, Cuba and moved to the United States when she was nine years old with her family.
She has two beautiful kids, Zoe and Miguel. She is inspired by women like Frida Kahlo and Oprah Winfrey. Here are her favorite quotes from Frida and Oprah:
“I am my own muse. I am the subject I know best. The subject I want to better.” - Frida Kahlo
“Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another steppingstone to greatness.” - Oprah Winfrey
During her free time, some of Cheyla’s favorite things to do are spending time with her children, traveling, trying new restaurants, walking and going to the beach.
Email: [email protected]
Chris Ragano
Executive Assistant
Chris Ragano joined Maddux Attorneys in 2021. Chris received his B.S. from Florida State University in 1992 and his J.D. in 1996.
Chris is a native Floridian and grew up in the Miami area before moving to Tampa. He is involved with local ministries such as Dorothy Day Tampa, Love Inc., and Open Arms.
In his free time, Chris enjoys spending time with his dog Arty, a Sapphire Samoyed, as well as cooking on the Big Green Egg.
Email: [email protected]
Cheyla Gonzales
Legal Assistant
Kristal joined Maddux Attorneys in August 2024 and plays a key role in the firm’s Personal Injury practice. She works closely with Cheyla Gonzalez, assisting with case management, client support, and handling property damage claims for clients' vehicles.
Kristal is also one of the welcoming voices answering the firm’s phones and represents the firm at community marketing events. She has a strong background in Personal Injury and Personal Injury Protection law and is a member of the Tampa Bay Paralegal Association.
A proud Tampa native, Kristal was born and raised in the city and is a graduate of Jefferson High School. She has deep roots in her Cuban heritage and is fluent in Spanish, allowing her to support a broad range of clients with care and clarity.
Outside of work, Kristal enjoys spending quality time with her daughter, Miah. She loves a beach day, a good gym session, and traveling, especially to the Dominican Republic.
Email: [email protected]
Antonia “Toni” Gaertner
Executive Assistant
Toni joined Maddux Attorneys in December 2024 and serves as Michael Maddux’s Executive Assistant. She plays a key role in supporting daily operations, managing the firm’s marketing and social media presence, and coordinating community outreach and charity initiatives.
She is especially passionate about addressing food insecurity and supporting initiatives that help children.
Born and raised in Tampa, Toni graduated from Robinson High School in 2016 before moving to Nashville, Tennessee, where she earned her degree from Belmont University in 2020.
While in Nashville, she worked on short films, television shows, and commercials with a focus on crew coordination, set safety, and project execution.
In her free time, Toni enjoys spending time with friends and family, reading, and traveling.
Email: [email protected]
